Training
We believe that training your dog is one of the best investments you can make.
It helps form a strong bond of trust, makes your lives easier & safer as your dog learns to respond to your cues, and creates a better relationship between you! Scroll down to see our levels of classes & upcoming schedule below, and register for class by filling out the on-line booking form.
IMPORTANT: A group class setting is not a great fit for all dogs! If your dog has a history of on-leash reactivity, please reach out to us directly by email or direct messenger to determine the best fit for them. Thank you!
Classes
Puppy Etiquette Class
For dogs under 6 months old
Next Class:
Beyond the Basics
Who has a puppy between 3 - 6 months old that is driving them wild with their nipping? Do you want to teach your puppy to sit, stay, wait, lay down, leave it, and heel….without the frustration of trying to figure it out on your own? Are you tired of them peeing in the house, and pulling on walks?
Join our Puppy Etiquette class, so you have confidence that you’re starting your dog off on the right foot in life! You will learn about:
Basic commands, with positive reinforcement
Leash walking & recall
Kennel training and potty training
Communicating with your pup & understanding their behaviour through balanced training methods
Proper socialization techniques
Plus, at the end of each class, the puppies get off-leash playtime to socialize & interact with each other. This allows them to make new friends in a clean, safe place, you will learn about your dog’s body language & appropriate play & ask all your dog-related questions!
6 weeks, 50 min classes
$185 + tax
Back to Basics Class
Level 1 - for dogs over 6 months old
Next class:
Beyond the Basics
Do you struggle with getting your dog to come when called, and walk nice on a leash around other people & dogs? Do you want to stop them from jumping up, and make sure they see you as the leader in their life?
Back to Basics is our Level One class and it is ideal for dogs who have never taken a class before, or need a refresher in the basics! (Over 200+ dogs have taken this class, it’s one of our most popular classes)
What you’ll learn:
Basic commands
Leash walking & recall
Reminding your dog you are leader
Refreshing your dog’s listening skills
Impulse control
6 weeks, 50 min classes
$185 + GST
Beyond the Basics Class
Level 2 - for dogs over 6 months old
Next Class:
Trick Class
This class is for dogs who have already completed Puppy Etiquette or Back to Basics! (If you think your pup can do this class without having completed the first level classes, please reach out)
In this class, we focus on adding the 3 D’s (Distance, Distractions, and Duration) to the commands we learned in the first level class. It’s great for dogs that struggle to listen in distracting situations, and in this class we work on:
Adding distractions to stay and recall
Working on commands from a distance
Stronger leave-it and recall
New commands for your dog
6 weeks, 50 min classes
$185 + GST
Trick Class
Want to build a stronger bond with your dog, while also having lots of fun? Join our trick class, where your dog will learn 15+ novice, intermediate, and advanced tricks, such as:
-wave goodbye
-wipe your paws
-jump through a hoop
-peekaboo
-army crawl
…and more!
Teaching tricks is a great way to work your dog’s mind, and provide mental stimulation.
Requirements: Dogs need to know “sit” and “lay down”
5 weeks, 50 min classes
$185 + GST
Trick Class (Level 2)
Trick Class level 2 includes 18+ new tricks from beginner, intermediate, and advanced categories! We bring back some tricks from level 1, and add on to them. For example, teaching how to shake/high 5 and wave with the other paw, and finding the cookie in a more challenging way, and how to crawl under an object!
You will also learn a variety of new tricks, like:
-tell me a secret
-walking on two legs
-act ashamed
-say your prayers
Requirements: dogs must take Trick Class level 1 at The Dawg House prior to level 2.
5 weeks, 50 min classes
$185 + GST
Leash Walking & Recall Class
Do you struggle with getting your dog to walk nicely on a leash without pulling, and getting them to come when called? What if you could enjoy your walks together without embarrassment & frustration, and have peace of mind knowing your dog would respond when you call them?
Join our class specifically focused on leash walking & recall, which is partially indoors and partially outdoors, weather permitting. We will focus on leash walking & recall games, with "real life" practice!
4 weeks, 50 min classes
$185 + GST
Impulse Control & No Jumping Class
- work on controlling your dogs impulses, and help prevent things like chasing rabbits on walks or lunging at distractions in an excitable fashion.
- learn how to control your dogs excitability when guests come over
- how to prevent jumping up on you/ the kids at home
- work on taking treats gently instead of like a 🦈 (shark)
- skills to work on counter surfing and your dog stealing things they shouldn’t
Requirements: dogs need to know “sit” and “lay down” to enrol in this class
4 weeks, 50 min classes
$185 + GST
Daycare Training Program
Our 6-week Daycare Training Program adds structure & mental stimulation to your pup’s daycare day, and gives you the tools to help implement the training practices into your home environment.
How it works:
Your dog has a weekly 1:1 training session with our trainer while at daycare, and you get added to a private Facebook group where you can access your dog’s report card for each session, as well as training videos for you to practice the techniques taught by our trainer.
6 weeks | $190 + GST in addition to daycare
Private Training Sessions
1-on-1 Private Training Sessions offer a more personalized environment than classes, and may be beneficial to those who can’t attend classes due to scheduling conflicts. The sessions are catered specifically to your situation, and what you & your dog need to work on.
These sessions can include:
brush up on the basics
improve leash walking skills and/or reactivity
resource guarding (items, food, or spaces)
puppy mouthing, messing in the house, crate training or any other puppy issues
how to handle and improve your dogs behaviour when guests come over (fear / excitement)
excessive barking in the yard / home
any other issues
Please reach out to us with the obstacles you’re facing, and we can determine which 1-on-1 training session plan is the best fit for you.
“We’ve taken 3 different training classes at The Dawg House, and every single one has been extremely rewarding and a noticeable difference in our dogs behaviour and demeanour. Elisa is extremely knowledgeable and you can tell she’s very passionate about everything dog related and goes above and beyond what is expected of her. In training she makes sure everyone understands the task/goal, and goes into good detail about how to achieve the end result, and shows examples in class along with extra online videos so you can practice at home.”
-Tyler Prokopiuk
FAQs
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Yes! Please make sure the one who typically handles the dog will be the one working with them in class, but it's definitely ok to have another person with you to learn the same things so you can be on the same page for continued training at home.
If you are bringing children with you, they must be kept under control (not distracting to the other students, or disrespectful to the instructor) or they will will not be permitted to return to the rest of the classes you've signed up for.
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Yes, but your dog cannot be in an active heat cycle.
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No problem! You get videos emailed to you after each week of classes to practice at home so you won't be behind on the material.
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We are able to transfer your class payment to another class if given at least 2 weeks' notice prior to the first class date. . If you have already started the class and decide not to continue, no refunds will be issued.
Please keep in mind that when you sign up for a class, you are reserving a paid spot and if you cancel, we need enough notice to fill that spot for our class instructor. When you sign up for class, we want you to be fully committed & excited to learn with your dog & eager to get help from our experienced trainers!
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Bring a variety of very high value treats with you. Chicken, cheese,
hotdogs, etc. Your dog will get lots, so make them bite sized. If you forget to bring treats, we sell some training treats in our store!No retractable leashes allowed in class. Please use a regular flat
leash, 4’ - 6’ in length is best. You are welcome to use flat collars, martingales,
or any harnesses. (We will cover these tools in class so you can
determine what will work best for your dog). If you are using a prong
collar, your dog must be over 7 months of age and it must be fitted
correctly.
Register for class.
“I finish their Back to the Basics training class with my pup next week, and I highly recommend it! This was my first training class I’ve taken my pup to, and Elisa who is teaching our class is AMAZING! She’s so knowledgeable, and is willing to answer all questions. Support local and check out The Dawg House Kennels! You will not regret it!”
- Kylee Hulm
6 weeks to confident socialization & improved manners
Daycare Training Program
Our 6-week Daycare Training Program is designed for you, the busy pet parent, so your dog can have weekly 1:1 time with a trainer while attending daycare.
LEAD TRAINER & SUPERVISOR
Elisa Bostock
Elisa began working at The Dawg House part time when they opened in 2019, and started full time in September of 2020! Growing up on a farm, Elisa knew that she wanted a career working with animals. In 2016, she began working at her first doggy daycare. Not long after, Elisa was introduced to the world of dog training - and she was instantly hooked! She says teaching obedience classes has been very rewarding, and witnessing dogs and their owners learn & overcome obstacles is one of her favourite parts.
Elisa believes in using balanced training methods, and loads of positive reinforcement! She has had dogs her whole life - in early December 2020, she added Ember, a Husky X (pictured) to her family, and recently adopted a new Lab X puppy named Addy.
Elisa helped The Dawg House launch training classes in March 2021, and looks forward to watching the team & facility grow! She completed the Advanced Behavioural Dog Training Course with Derek Snow of No Dog Left Behind in 2022, and is now experienced in teaching private dog training lessons.
“As a new puppy owner, we started puppy classes! Very informative, with clear instruction and observed practice. Can’t wait to use the kennel for puppy to socialize! Very happy!”
-Patti Roulston Renwick
